Sample itinerary · Budget
5-Day Northern Highlights Camping Safari
Two Serengeti nights give this camping route a full day on the plains before a highland overnight and a crater descent. The final day is reserved for Ngorongoro and the return journey; Lake Manyara is better added with an extra day.
Illustrative itinerary. This is an example to inspire planning — not a fixed commercial offer. Routes, properties, inclusions and prices are confirmed only in your personal quote.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Destinations
- Arusha · Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Who this journey suits
Five safari days with one dedicated Serengeti exploration day
The rhythm of your journey
Day counts refer to this proposed programme; arrival and departure nights outside it may be needed. Road transfers, park access and flight schedules are checked before confirmation.
Day by day
Day 1
Arusha to Tarangire and the Karatu area
Drive out of Arusha for game viewing among baobabs, seasonal wetlands and the Tarangire River. Watch for elephants, giraffes and birdlife, pause for a picnic, then continue to your overnight base. Wildlife activity determines the day’s viewing, not a fixed checklist.
Overnight: Karatu / Tarangire area
Day 2
Across the highlands into the Serengeti
This is a substantial travel day through the Ngorongoro highlands and onto the Serengeti plains. Break the journey for lunch and begin game viewing once inside the park. Afternoon time depends on road conditions and entry formalities, so avoid treating the transfer as a full safari day.
Overnight: Central Serengeti
Day 3
A full day on the Serengeti plains
With no camp move today, follow the wildlife opportunities around your base. Explore grassland, kopjes and river valleys, with picnic or camp breaks arranged around the route. Resident animals offer interest even when migrating herds are elsewhere; the guide adjusts the drive to conditions.
Overnight: Central Serengeti
Day 4
Morning Serengeti viewing, then the highlands
Enjoy a final morning drive before leaving the Serengeti and travelling into the cooler Ngorongoro highlands. The overnight positions you for a crater descent the next day. Stops such as Olduvai Gorge are optional additions requiring time, entry arrangements and a separate quote.
Overnight: Ngorongoro highlands
Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha
Descend into the crater for a morning game drive and a picnic, then ascend and travel back to Arusha. Keep the final day focused on the crater and transfer rather than adding another park. Any onward flight must allow for variable road and park-exit times.
Typically included
- Guided drives or activities explicitly confirmed in your quote
- Park and conservation access as itemised
- Road transfers and any flights explicitly listed
- Accommodation and meals as specified for each day
Typically excluded
- International flights
- Visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Optional activities and unlisted transfers
- Extra nights before or after the programme
Accommodation examples
Provisional — specific properties are proposed and confirmed in your quote, subject to availability.
Karatu / Tarangire area
Campsite to be confirmed
Provisional example — final property confirmed in your quote.
Central Serengeti
Campsite to be confirmed
Provisional example — final property confirmed in your quote.
Ngorongoro highlands
Campsite to be confirmed
Provisional example — final property confirmed in your quote.
Seasonal advice
This route is adjusted to your travel month. Dry periods and greener months offer different scenery and wildlife conditions; accommodation openings, road access and optional activities need checking. No wildlife sighting is guaranteed.
Other ways to travel
Compare a different rhythm
Illustrative itinerary3 days · Budget
3-Day Northern Tanzania Budget Safari
A compact introduction to three different landscapes: baobab country, the crater floor and Lake Manyara’s forests. Stay around Karatu rather than spending your short break on the long road to the Serengeti.
Request a tailored quote
Illustrative itinerary3 days · Budget
3-Day Serengeti Camping Safari
Two nights in the Serengeti put the plains at the centre of this camping journey. One full exploration day sits between two substantial road transfers, making this a focused option for travellers comfortable with long drives.
Request a tailored quote
Illustrative itinerary3 days · Budget
3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly-In from Arusha
Fly from Arusha into the Serengeti, explore by road, then continue to the Ngorongoro highlands for a crater visit. This is a one-way fly-in journey ending in Arusha, with camping rather than a luxury lodge circuit.
Request a tailored quote
FAQ
Questions, answered
Yes. Treat this as a starting point: nights, accommodation, transfers and activities are proposed individually for your dates and preferences.
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